A foot corn is a term that is used to refer to sections of the foot where the skin is hard and thickened, creating unsightly protrusions from the toes’ surface. This skin develops this way as a result of the friction and pressure exerted continuously over a period of time. Corns are often located on the top section of the toes, but sometimes occur on the side. It is important that corns are distinguished from calluses as the two are remarkably different. The latter form an extremely painful condition that form on the soles of the foot, and especially around the heel region.

feetThere are several causes of foot corn, but the most common include wearing the very tight shoes, constantly wearing high heels and walking long distances. In some cases, corns are the result of manual labor as well as a host of sport activities that cause friction and increase pressure on the feet. The likelihood of getting corns is increased in people suffering from diabetes and nerve conditions which restrict the flow of blood to the feet. The golden rule when it comes to the treatment of corns is to address the source of friction as well as the respective pressure points. Below are some of the effective home remedies for the natural treatment of foot corn. As with most natural remedies, the secret to quick recovery is consistent use alongside preventive measures.


1. Pumice Stone:

Time Required: 30 Min
What You Need: Hot water in a foot basin, a pumice stone, a clean towel, cotton balls, castor oil and bandage.
Difficulty: Easy

 

One of the best ways to treat corns is to clean them using a pumice stone. The inclusion of this stone helps ensure that the dead and hardened skin is removed with ease. This has the effect of reducing pain as well as shortening the time required for recovery. Warm water is added to this remedy to allow the skin to soften so that corn removal is faster and less painful. After cleaning, you are advised to use castor oil on the toes affected by the corns. The oil moisturizes the skin and aids quick recovery. This remedy is best used at bedtime so that the remedy works overnight.

Directions:

  1. Soak your feet in the foot basin and simply allow the hot water to soothe your feet.
  2. After 10 minutes or so, use the pumice stone to gently scrub the corns. Do this in back and forth motions in order to get rid of the hardened skin.
  3. Scrub the corns for about 5 minutes and then dry the feet thoroughly using the clean towel.
  4. Soak the cotton balls in the castor oil and proceed to place on top of the corns.
  5. Wrap the wet wool using bandage and allow to remain overnight.
  6. Remove the bandage the next day.
  7. Use this treatment at least once daily until the corn is totally healed.

 


2. Bread Poultice:

Time Required: 30 Min to 1 Hr
What You Need: A slice of bread, 1 cup of Apple cider vinegar, gauze, warm water and pumice stone (optional).
Difficulty: Easy

 

Bread poultice is a choice remedy for the treatment of corns in the feet. Bread is preferred for this remedy because it provides a medium of application that both soothes and enhances the healing of the corns. The bread slice is soaked in apple cider vinegar, yet another ideal home remedy for corn treatment. The vinegar is included in the remedy because of its increased acidity levels that go a long way in softening the skin and make it easy to treat. The mixture of bread and vinegar is what is known as poultice, hence the name of the remedy. You may use a pumice stone to scrub the corns in order to get rid of the dead skin.

Directions:

  1. Scrub the corn using a pumice stone. It helps to soak your feet prior to the use of this remedy as this softens the skin and helps make sure that there’s reduced friction.
  2. Pour the Apple cider vinegar into a shallow bowl and proceed to soak the slice of bread.
  3. When completely soaked, lift the poultice carefully so that it does not break away.
  4. Place the bread poultice on the corn and then wrap the gauze to hold it in place.
  5. Leave the remedy on for an hour or so before rinsing.
  6. Use this remedy at least once daily until you completely get rid of the corn.

 


3. Raw Pawpaw:

Time Required: 20 Min preparation and overnight application.
What You Need: A small piece of raw pawpaw, juice extractor, cotton wool, gauze, pumice stone and warm water.
Difficulty: Easy

 

Raw pawpaw is packed with proteolytic enzymes that help digest protein as is the case in the thickened skin found on the corns. By exposing the corns to the enzymes, you are able to get rid of the dead layer and allow for the corns to heal naturally. You will need a pumice stone for this purpose. The application of this remedy is overnight, so the best time to use this remedy is at bedtime. Note too, that the amount of raw pawpaw used is dependent on the number of toes affected and the extent of the corns. Other benefits of using raw pawpaw include reduction in pain and discomfort.

Directions:

  1. Peel the raw piece of pawpaw and then grate it.
  2. Transfer the grated pawpaw to the juice extractor and get the juice.
  3. Place the cotton ball in the raw pawpaw juice and soak for a few minutes.
  4. Transfer the wet wool to the corn and secure it in place using the gauze.
  5. Let the remedy stay on the corn overnight.
  6. The next day, discard the used cotton wool and gauze before rinsing the affected toes.
  7. Using the pumice stone, gently scrub the corn area to exfoliate.
  8. Use this remedy daily until you get rid of the corns or are satisfied with the results.

 


4. Turmeric Paste:

Time Required: 45 Min
What You Need: 1 Teaspoon of turmeric powder, 1 tablespoon of honey and warm water.
Difficulty: Easy

 

Turmeric paste is hailed for its efficiency in treating an array of medical conditions. This is largely because turmeric powder is a potent anti-inflammatory that helps eliminate the pain and ease the discomfort. Honey is included in this remedy, not only to create a medium for the application process, but also for its soothing properties. Use this remedy to speed up the healing process of corns and get rid of the unsightly bumps on your toes.

Directions:

  1. Add the honey to the turmeric and mix well to create a thick viscous paste. This is important to prevent the paste from flowing atop the corn.
  2. Scoop some of the paste and apply it on the corn.
  3. Allow the turmeric paste to air-dry.
  4. You may use water to rinse the corn area.
  5. Repeat this procedure thrice daily for quick healing and recovery.

 


5. Pineapple Peels:

Time Required: 10 Min  preparation and overnight application.
What You Need: Fresh pineapple peels, gauze, warm water and coconut oil.
Difficulty: Easy

 

Pineapples, just like raw pawpaw, are packed with enzymes that help breakdown proteins. It is for this reason that this remedy is recommended for the natural treatment of corns. Interestingly, the peels are more potent than the pineapple both the flesh and juice. The only thing you have to keep in mind is to remove the prickly thorn-like protrusions that are found on the peels. After applying the pineapple remedy overnight, one of the best things that you can do for yourself is to apply coconut oil for moisturization purposes.

Directions:

  1. Chop a sizable chunk of the peel to get a small square that covers the corn in its entirety.
  2. Make sure you get rid of the thorn-like protrusions.
  3. Place the inner section of the peel and set in in place using the gauze.
  4. Wear a pair of cotton socks on the affected foot and allow to remain in place overnight.
  5. Rinse your feet the next morning once you have discarded the used peels and gauze.
  6. Dry your feet well and proceed to apply coconut oil on the corns. You may use castor oil in place of coconut oil.
  7. Use this remedy daily before bedtime until the corn eventually falls off.

 


6. Fresh Lemon Juice:

Time Required: 30 Min
What You Need: Fresh lemon juice, cotton wool and sterile bandage. Brewer’s yeast (optional).
Difficulty: Easy

 

One of the simplest remedies available for the natural treatment of corns is lemon juice. This remedy comes in handy because the juice is rich in citric acid. When applied on the affected toes, the juice permeates the skin and softens the thick and hardened layer. While it takes time for the results to show, consistent use of this remedy should help you get rid of corns. Brewer’s yeast may be added to the juice in order to bulk it as well as to ease the application process. Follow the directions below for best results.

Directions:

  1. Add a teaspoon of the yeast to the lemon juice to get a thick paste.
  2. Using cotton wool, apply a thick layer of the paste on the corns.
  3. Wrap the bandage on the corns to prevent the paste from flowing downwards.
  4. Leave the remedy on overnight and rinse the next morning.
  5. Lastly, apply some coconut or castor oil on the corns to enhance the healing process.
  6. Repeat this procedure until the corns are healed, or you are content with the progress made.

 


7. Baking Soda:

Time Required: 30 Min
What You Need: 5 Teaspoons of baking soda, warm water in a foot basin, a pumice stone,lemon juice, bandage, clean towel and coconut oil.
Difficulty: Easy

 

Baking soda is a popular remedy for the elimination of corns, thanks to its exfoliation properties. When applied on the corns, the baking soda helps get rid of dead skin cells that make up the thickened layer. This speeds up the healing process. Other benefits of using baking soda include its excellent antifungal properties which work against fungal infections that affect the foot. Lemon juice is optional, but is recommended as it is also highly beneficial. There are two ways to use this remedy as indicated in the steps below:

Directions:

Baking Soda and Lemon Juice paste:

  1. Mix 1 teaspoon of baking soda with some lemon juice to get a paste. It is advisable to create a thick paste as this eases the application process.
  2. Apply the paste on the corns and cover using the bandage.
  3. Leave the remedy on overnight.
  4. Rinse the paste off your toes using warm water.
  5. Make sure that you also scrub gently using a pumice stone. This is important because it compliments the exfoliation process.
  6. Pat your feet dry and proceed to apply coconut oil.

Prepare foot soak using Baking Soda solution:

  1. Add 3 tablespoons of the baking soda to the foot basin containing the warm water.
  2. Soak your feet in this solution for 20 minutes.
  3. You will then rub your feet using the pumice stone to get rid of the dead skin.
  4. Rinse using warm water and dry well before applying a generous amount of the coconut oil on the skin.

 


8. Chamomile Tea and Epsom Salt:

Time Required: 30 Min
What You Need: Chamomile tea bags, Epsom salts, warm water in a foot basin and a clean towel.
Difficulty: Easy

 

This combined remedy provides a perfect solution to the long term elimination of foot corns. Chamomile tea, when infused in water and used to soak feet, soothes the affected toes and gets rid of the characteristic discomfort associated with corns. Epsom salt on the other hand, softens the dead skin found in the thickened layer on the corns. This eases the process of corn removal using the pumice stone, making it an integral part of this home remedy.

Directions:

  1. Place 5 heaped tablespoons of Epsom salt in the water, followed by some unused chamomile teabags.
  2. Mix well and proceed to soak your feet in the mixture.
  3. Typically, the foot soak lasts 15-20 minutes, after which you will scrub the affected toes using the pumice stone.
  4. Do a final rinse before drying your feet.
  5. Use this remedy twice daily for best results.

 


While these remedies work excellently over a period of time, the inclusion of preventive measures goes a long way in protecting your feet from corns. Listed below are some of the tips that you can use in this regard:
i) Always wear fitting shoes to eliminate friction, which is the leading cause of corns.
ii) Moisturize your feet every day to prevent drying as this predisposes you to corn formation.
iii) You may use foot pads to relieve some of the pressure.
iv) If, after using the remedies for a period of time there is still no change, make sure you seek the services of a foot specialist.